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Bentley surveys GOP executive committee for Senate pick

To pick Alabama’s next senator, Gov. Robert Bentley is turning to an online survey.

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Gov. Robert Bentley(Photo: Albert Cesare/Advertiser)

The governor's office sent members of the Alabama Republican Party’s executive committee links to an online survey over the weekend asking for their preferred candidate to succeed U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, nominated last week as President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general. Bentley will select Sessions' successor. Hundreds of people sit on the executive committee.

“Gov. Bentley is taking this process seriously and knows that you will as well,” said a message to executive committee members, signed by Appointments Director Will Edwards. “The person who replaces Senator Sessions must uphold the Constitution, value the rights of the Second Amendment, the rights of the states, support pro-life issues, implement a strong national security policy, support domestic job creation and, most importantly, always put Alabama first.”

The questionnaire, hosted by SurveyMonkey, asks participants to nominate an individual for appointment to the Senate and suggest a question for potential candidates. The governor’s office will take suggestions until Dec. 1.

In an emailed statement Monday, Bentley said he “particularly” wanted to hear from the committee as the state’s next U.S. senator would be responsible for many key decisions.

“I am seeking the input of the Republican Party because it is important that I begin this selection process with a qualified pool of conservative candidates who can carry out the agenda of President-elect Trump,” the statement said.

Alabama Republican Party Chairwoman Terry Lathan said Monday that the executive committee has over 400 members and that it would be “very difficult” for the governor’s office to contact committee members individually and solicit their input.

“They are all commenting on how grateful they are to have the opportunity to give their opinions to the governor,” she said.

If the U.S. Senate confirms Sessions as attorney general, Bentley will appoint his successor and set an election date for the position. The governor’s office said last week several people had contacted him with interest in the appointment. The governor said he would not appoint himself and planned to appoint someone for the long term.

Bentley supported Ohio Gov. John Kasich for the Republican nomination, and said last month he would not vote for Trump after audio from 2005 emerged of Trump bragging about kissing, groping and trying to have sex with women who weren't his wife. The governor said last week support for Trump would not necessarily be a factor in his appointment.

Updated at 10:13 a.m. Tuesday. An earlier version of this story said it would difficult for Bentley to contact potential candidates individually; it would difficult for him to contact the hundreds of members of the committee individually.